Projects

Runway 12-30 Expansion

The airport is expanding Runway 12-30 to the northwest by 1,900 feet from approximately 7,000 to 8,900 feet. The airport is in the process of finalizing an agreement with the railroads required for the E. J. & E. railroad relocation. The airport and signed a Preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) with Elgin Joliet & Eastern (E J & E), CSX, and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads. This agreement addresses the necessary relocation of the EJ&E tracks that border the airport to allow for the Runway 12-30 expansion, and the shift of CSX operations to the NS Gary Branch commonly known as the "Sugar Track" which allows the airport to eventually extend the crosswind runway.

In addition to acquiring 162 acres of property for the runway lengthening, the Cline Avenue, Citgo Storage Tank Relocation, and Power Line Projects were major components of the Runway Expansion Project. Other runway components to be completed are the NAVAID relocation, wetland mitigation, and runway remarking.

The airport project funding was provided by a variety of sources with the majority from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the amount of $57.8 million dollars, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) in the amount of $20 million dollars, as well as a projected $9.5 million dollars collected from passenger facility charges from the Chicago Airport System.

CLINE AVENUE (IN-912) PROJECT

The Cline Avenue (IN-912) Frontage Road was reduced to a single lane in order to make room for the proposed railroad track relocation project. The lane modification project began in October 2006 and was completed in early 2007.

CITGO Storage Tank Relocation

CITGO storage tank number 52 was determined to be within the proposed runway protection zone. The fuel tank was demolished and a new replacement fuel tank was constructed in June 2008. The construction cost was approximately $2,450,000.

Powerline Relocation Project

This project required the removal of aerial high voltage power lines that were located along the east side of Cline Ave. The project included burial of the power lines, demolition of the towers, and construction of a new power transformer station.

The power lines were very high voltage at 345 Kv and were located on numerous support towers. The lines were buried to allow for improved runway operating clearances and to alleviate the hazard for approach surfaces penetration for the Runway 12 extension.

The power lines are owned by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) and will continue to be owned/operated by NIPSCO. The project was completed in January 2009 and the project cost was $14.81 million.

Last Updated 02-12-09